Muslim scholar decries violence: ‘I am a Nazarene, too’

Last updated on: August 28, 2014 at 10:02 am by CNA Daily News

Muslim scholar decries violence: ‘I am a Nazarene, too’ 2014-08-28T10:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Rimini, Italy, Aug 28, 2014 / 04:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Referring to the label “Nazarene” marked on houses of Christians in Iraq by the militant Islamic State, a Muslim scholar also called himself Nazarene in solidarity – maintaining that many people in the Muslim community are identifying with Christians as well.

“Millions of Muslims have used the Arab letter 'nun,' or 'n,' which stands for Nazarene, as their profile picture in Facebook and Twitter, thus identifying themselves with the testimony Christians have given in Iraq,” Wael Farouq told CNA Aug. 25.

A professor of Arabic language at the American University of Cairo, Egypt, Farouq was among the 200 speakers scheduled the Annual Meeting of the ecclesiastical movement Communion and Liberation, which takes place in the Italian town of Rimini Aug. 24-29.

A major events with over 100 conferences, 17 shows, 14 exhibitions and 10 sporting events, this year's meeting holds the theme: “Towards the peripheries of world and existence.”

Addressing the Christian plight in Iraq, Farouq stressed that “terrorists and criminal are not the main characters of Iraqi scenario,” since the real “heroes are those who have chosen to stay faithful to their faith and to abandon everything they have to keep their faith.”

A declaration issued by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Aug. 11 asked religious leaders – Muslims in particular – to take a strong stand against acts that offend God as well as humanity, and to nurture a culture of peace.

Farouq dismissed claims that “the Muslim world is silent about what is happening in Iraq. Many religious leaders have condemned what is happening.”

For example, “the Grand Mufti of Egypt and even orthodox mufti like the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia,” said, adding that “what is happening is the enemy number one for Islam.”

The ISNA – Islamic Society of North America – and the Center for American-Islamic Relations have also strongly condemned the actions of the militant Islamic State.

“Beyond political and religious leaders, what is more important to me is the reaction of ordinary people,” Farouq reflected.

According to him, “it is happening for the first time that interreligious dialogue start from a form of identification with the other,” as happening today while “ordinary people, millions of Muslims are identifying with Christians.”

Despite this, Farouq explains that “terrorists are not, however, isolated,” since in several countries there are “terroristic groups that use religion to justify their violence,” and this does not happen by chance.

“As a Muslim, and also as a Muslim scholar I must say that the Islamic thought, the Islamic practice today needs a deep reform to the conception of every Muslim that violence is against the principles of our religion. A reform for the Islamic world is needed,” Farouq maintained.

On the other hand, he says that terrorists gain the sympathies of some because of the extreme secularism and double standard of the Western world.

“Even the Western world is responsible of what is happening in Iraq,” Farouq underscored.

“These terrorist groups are receiving every day three million dollars from Western companies who buy oil in the black market. They are armed by Western companies,” he said.

According to Farouq, this is not something “related to Islam or the Middle East. It should be a problem for all of us, for all the world. Everybody is part of the problem for what is going in Iraq.”

Europe

Previous Post

August 28, 2014

Adelaide to host Australian Catholic Youth Festival 2015

Next Post

August 28, 2014 Scholars: Boko Haram caliphate claim may be inspired by ISIS

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many years did Jacob work for Rachel before he married her?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Fourteen Three Seven Twenty